5 Reasons Why We Need to Talk More About “Matrescence”

Let’s get real: we talk a lot about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, but there's one major thing that’s often overlooked—the total transformation that happens to you as a woman. It’s called matrescence, and it’s basically the motherhood version of adolescence. The physical, emotional, and social changes that come with growing a tiny human (or several) are HUGE—and it’s time we started giving this stage the attention it deserves.

Matrescence is more than just the 9 months of pregnancy and the intense first few months of postpartum. It’s a deep, holistic transformation that takes you through your pregnancy, the fourth trimester, and beyond. It impacts every part of you: body, mind, and soul. So, why are we not talking about it enough? Let’s change that. Here are 5 reasons why matrescence deserves a little more spotlight:

1. More than physical

   Most apps and resources are all about tracking your baby’s development (which, of course, is amazing), but when’s the last time you saw an app that tracks your transformation? Spoiler alert: it’s a thing, and it matters. You’re evolving emotionally, biologically, psychologically, spiritually. And sometimes it feels like everything is changing—your relationship with your partner, your sense of self, your expectations about motherhood and reality. These emotional and mental changes are just as much a part of matrescence as the physical ones. Recognizing and embracing these shifts can make you feel more empowered, knowing that your transformation is happening on multiple levels, not just one. Matrescence acknowledges that as your baby grows, so do you. And that’s something to celebrate.

2. Welcome to matrescence, where emotions run the gamut.

   Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or even ambivalent is normal. One day, you might feel ecstatic about the new life growing inside you; the next, you might feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities lie ahead. This emotional rollercoaster is one of the hardest parts of matrescence, and yet, it's rarely talked about. Acknowledging the emotional ups and downs gives you the permission to feel the things you’re feeling without guilt. The awareness that you're in the middle of a significant life transformation means you don’t have to face these feelings in isolation or shame. It’s okay to not have it all figured out—these emotional shifts are part of the process.

3. Setting Realistic Expectations

   Let’s face it—our culture paints a picture of motherhood that’s downright unrealistic. Social media, movies, even your well-meaning friends and family can make it seem like motherhood is all magic moments and instant bonding. If that’s not your experience, you may start to feel like something’s wrong with you. But here’s the truth: It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to not feel 100% ready, and it’s okay to need time to adjust. Understanding matrescence helps us set more realistic expectations. It helps us understand that while motherhood brings joy, it also always brings challenges. By embracing this, we remove the pressure to be “perfect” and allow ourselves to experience motherhood more authentically and intentionally.

4. Empower Yourself to Advocate for Your Needs

   When you’re pregnant or postpartum, it’s easy to prioritize your baby’s needs over your own. But let’s be real—you can’t pour from an empty cup. Learning about matrescence is a way of recognizing your own transformation and helps with advocating for what you need along the way. It’s about learning how to care for yourself, too, not just your baby. This might mean setting boundaries, asking for help, talking to your healthcare provider about how you’re feeling, or even subscribing to CC Club. By advocating for your needs, you’re setting yourself up to be a stronger, more resilient mom. And guess what? The better you care for yourself, the better equipped you’ll be to care for your baby.

5. Fostering personal growth

   Matrescence is a time when you get to reimagine your goals, values, and aspirations—not just as a mother, but as an individual.

   By embracing matrescence as a stage of personal growth, you can transform this period into one of self-empowerment and fulfillment. Motherhood may change you, but it can also help you discover new strengths and depths you didn’t know you had. Embracing this growth allows you to live more intentionally, both as a mother and as your own person.

Matrescence is more than just a buzzword. It’s an essential part of the journey into motherhood that too often gets overlooked. By recognizing matrescence and all the shifts that come with it—emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological—you give yourself permission to embrace your transformation and approach motherhood with more understanding, self-compassion, and authenticity.

So the next time you hear about how much your baby is growing, remember—you’re growing, too. And that’s a beautiful thing.